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The Book of Mothers: How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood
This treasure trove for book lovers explores fifteen classic novels with memorable maternal figures, and examines how our cultural notions of motherhood have been shaped by literature.
Sweet, supportive, dependable, selfless . Long before she had children of her own, journalist Carrie Mullins knew how mothers should behave. But how? Where did these expectations come from―and, more importantly, are they serving the mothers whose lives they shape? Carrie's suspicion, later crystallized while raising two small children, was that our culture’s idealization of motherhood was not only painfully limiting but harmful, leaving women to cope with impossible standards––standards rarely created by mothers themselves.
To discover how we might talk about motherhood in a more realistic, nuanced, and inclusive way, Carrie turned to literature with memorable maternal figures for answers. Moving through the literary canon––from Pride and Prejudice and Little Women to The Great Gatsby, Beloved, Heartburn , and The Joy Luck Club ―Carrie traces the origins of our modern mothering experience. By interrogating the influences of politics, economics, feminism, pop culture, and family life in each text, she identifies the factors that have shaped our prevailing views of motherhood, and puts these classics into conversation with the most urgent issues of the day. Who were these literary mothers, beyond their domestic responsibilities and familial demands? And what lessons do they have for us today―if we choose to listen?
Sweet, supportive, dependable, selfless . Long before she had children of her own, journalist Carrie Mullins knew how mothers should behave. But how? Where did these expectations come from―and, more importantly, are they serving the mothers whose lives they shape? Carrie's suspicion, later crystallized while raising two small children, was that our culture’s idealization of motherhood was not only painfully limiting but harmful, leaving women to cope with impossible standards––standards rarely created by mothers themselves.
To discover how we might talk about motherhood in a more realistic, nuanced, and inclusive way, Carrie turned to literature with memorable maternal figures for answers. Moving through the literary canon––from Pride and Prejudice and Little Women to The Great Gatsby, Beloved, Heartburn , and The Joy Luck Club ―Carrie traces the origins of our modern mothering experience. By interrogating the influences of politics, economics, feminism, pop culture, and family life in each text, she identifies the factors that have shaped our prevailing views of motherhood, and puts these classics into conversation with the most urgent issues of the day. Who were these literary mothers, beyond their domestic responsibilities and familial demands? And what lessons do they have for us today―if we choose to listen?
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
20 people are currently reading
3572 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Mullins
1 book19 followersCarrie Mullins has written for publications including Food & Wine, Parents, Publishers Weekly, and Epicurious. She is a former National Editor at the James Beard Award–winning website Serious Eats and a longtime contributor to Electric Literature, where she covered the intersection of literature and culture. She lives in New York City with her husband and sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 7, 2024
United States Publication: May 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
The views and expectations of women and motherhood have been shaped by many things, one of which is literature. Throughout literature women and mothers have been discussed; bad ones, good ones, mediocre ones. What to do, what not to do, what to look like, what not to look like, etc. I say "etc" because the list of ideas, demands, and expectations is endless. Our unique cultures inform motherhood but literature crosses oceans and highways and introduces ideas of one culture into another because literature is, as author Stephen King is charged with saying, "....a uniquely portable magic." Because of this magic, one cultural view on motherhood can infiltrate another, and suddenly a mish-mash of views, expectations, and opinions are present for women to sift through and decide how they will, if they will, subscribe.
Upon becoming a mother and entering the proverbial rat race of motherhood, Mullins became interested in how literature, specifically, has contributed to our ideas about mothering and how, perhaps, we can use those same books to reshape the current views on motherhood. She chose 15 books that she felt had opinions and views on mothering that she could explore and share widely. Some of the titles are well-known, others not so much (at least to this reader). It's almost the perfect list to form a book club around, one that once exhausting Mullins list could continue on with the countless other books from past into present that exist and serve up opinions on women and motherhood.
Mullins, in each chapter, focuses on a specific idea about motherhood and takes the opportunity to trace the history of that idea and how it appears in the present, giving some background on the author and what they were being influenced by at the time they authored the book, and discussing how it can look in today's world. She gives no solid answers, she presents the information as she sees it and leaves it up to the reader to consider for themselves. That's a piece of motherhood that has gotten lost - someone says, "This is THE way to do it, and any other way is wrong," and so those who cannot do it that way feel less than. The truth is there are many ways to accomplish something, as humans have varying needs and ways they take in information. Those who are trying to force everyone into a box have got it wrong, so why - WHY - have we given them so much real estate in our minds, in our lives? Why are we, for example, taking in anything a man has to say about being a woman and/or mother?
While this is a book about mothers and motherhood in literature, I felt there were many things to consider as a woman, regardless of whether she is a mother or not. Yes, mothering is a main focus, but before mothers were mothers, they were, and still are, women and some of these insights are universal to women. Perhaps all of them are universal as women are expected, whether they have children in their care or not, to be mothers. I really enjoyed this book; I feel there are a lot of good insights and things to consider. As a mom, who now has young adult children, I found myself wishing - while reading this - that I had understood some of the messages I was operating within when raising my littles so I could have done things differently. But you only know what you know, and when you know better, then you can do better. Are you a woman? A woman who is a mom? I highly recommend giving this book some space and the insights within it some consideration so that you know more and can do better.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
The views and expectations of women and motherhood have been shaped by many things, one of which is literature. Throughout literature women and mothers have been discussed; bad ones, good ones, mediocre ones. What to do, what not to do, what to look like, what not to look like, etc. I say "etc" because the list of ideas, demands, and expectations is endless. Our unique cultures inform motherhood but literature crosses oceans and highways and introduces ideas of one culture into another because literature is, as author Stephen King is charged with saying, "....a uniquely portable magic." Because of this magic, one cultural view on motherhood can infiltrate another, and suddenly a mish-mash of views, expectations, and opinions are present for women to sift through and decide how they will, if they will, subscribe.
Upon becoming a mother and entering the proverbial rat race of motherhood, Mullins became interested in how literature, specifically, has contributed to our ideas about mothering and how, perhaps, we can use those same books to reshape the current views on motherhood. She chose 15 books that she felt had opinions and views on mothering that she could explore and share widely. Some of the titles are well-known, others not so much (at least to this reader). It's almost the perfect list to form a book club around, one that once exhausting Mullins list could continue on with the countless other books from past into present that exist and serve up opinions on women and motherhood.
Mullins, in each chapter, focuses on a specific idea about motherhood and takes the opportunity to trace the history of that idea and how it appears in the present, giving some background on the author and what they were being influenced by at the time they authored the book, and discussing how it can look in today's world. She gives no solid answers, she presents the information as she sees it and leaves it up to the reader to consider for themselves. That's a piece of motherhood that has gotten lost - someone says, "This is THE way to do it, and any other way is wrong," and so those who cannot do it that way feel less than. The truth is there are many ways to accomplish something, as humans have varying needs and ways they take in information. Those who are trying to force everyone into a box have got it wrong, so why - WHY - have we given them so much real estate in our minds, in our lives? Why are we, for example, taking in anything a man has to say about being a woman and/or mother?
While this is a book about mothers and motherhood in literature, I felt there were many things to consider as a woman, regardless of whether she is a mother or not. Yes, mothering is a main focus, but before mothers were mothers, they were, and still are, women and some of these insights are universal to women. Perhaps all of them are universal as women are expected, whether they have children in their care or not, to be mothers. I really enjoyed this book; I feel there are a lot of good insights and things to consider. As a mom, who now has young adult children, I found myself wishing - while reading this - that I had understood some of the messages I was operating within when raising my littles so I could have done things differently. But you only know what you know, and when you know better, then you can do better. Are you a woman? A woman who is a mom? I highly recommend giving this book some space and the insights within it some consideration so that you know more and can do better.
October 11, 2023
Mothers have always felt like the least interesting characters until I became one and developed a voracious appetite for stories about pregnancy and motherhood. In The Book of Mothers, Carrie Mullins argues that it is not so much a fault of my own that I found these characters irrelevant, but a societal practice of ignoring the interior of women’s lives that has made mothers so invisible. This collection of essays breathes new life into well known characters and centers their experiences as mothers and care givers.
Mullins examines both classical and more contemporary literature, mining these stories for messages about what it means to be a woman. Some characters are obvious- think Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice- and others are unexpected, like Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter. Although I eagerly downloaded this book in the hopes of engaging in reflective work on motherhood, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself delving into topics ranging from The Real Housewives to political history, and the relationship between popular culture and misogyny. Throughout the book, Mullins reminds the reader that motherhood and domesticity is much bigger, much more complex than any characterture of a marm in a shapeless cardigan could ever capture.
Mullins shows us that motherhood is an extraordinary experience, impossible to fully grasp, and at the same time, it is an incredibly ordinary and banal experience. Many things can be true at the same time. I most enjoyed Cullin’s exploration of duality, like the thin line between maternal love and maternal rage and how motherhood can erase and suffocate your sense of self while also providing the space to process a lifetime of navigating micro aggressions and conflicting expectations.
While it is not new to suggest that misogyny has marginalized domestic stories, this collection of essays offers plenty of timely and fresh analysis, including (yet another) dissection of the Handmaid’s Tale. Mullins writes that regardless of pregnancy, women are time and again reduced to womb and the implications of this are far reaching.
This is a book I will purchase so I can take it off my shelf and show to every mom friend who visits. It’s the kind of book I will highlight quotations to send to friends and family when one of us is in need of validation for our feelings.
Mullins interprets literary mothers as more complicated and complete characters, ones that have value to readers who share more than just an experience giving birth or caring for children. They are entry points into what it means to be human and to find purpose in this world. As much as I found these essays valuable beyond motherhood and as convincing as I found the evidence that mothers are not minor or irrelevant characters, I struggle to see this book being read by anyone who is not, well, a mother. I hope these essays find their way to a larger audience.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC for review.
Mullins examines both classical and more contemporary literature, mining these stories for messages about what it means to be a woman. Some characters are obvious- think Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice- and others are unexpected, like Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter. Although I eagerly downloaded this book in the hopes of engaging in reflective work on motherhood, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself delving into topics ranging from The Real Housewives to political history, and the relationship between popular culture and misogyny. Throughout the book, Mullins reminds the reader that motherhood and domesticity is much bigger, much more complex than any characterture of a marm in a shapeless cardigan could ever capture.
Mullins shows us that motherhood is an extraordinary experience, impossible to fully grasp, and at the same time, it is an incredibly ordinary and banal experience. Many things can be true at the same time. I most enjoyed Cullin’s exploration of duality, like the thin line between maternal love and maternal rage and how motherhood can erase and suffocate your sense of self while also providing the space to process a lifetime of navigating micro aggressions and conflicting expectations.
While it is not new to suggest that misogyny has marginalized domestic stories, this collection of essays offers plenty of timely and fresh analysis, including (yet another) dissection of the Handmaid’s Tale. Mullins writes that regardless of pregnancy, women are time and again reduced to womb and the implications of this are far reaching.
This is a book I will purchase so I can take it off my shelf and show to every mom friend who visits. It’s the kind of book I will highlight quotations to send to friends and family when one of us is in need of validation for our feelings.
Mullins interprets literary mothers as more complicated and complete characters, ones that have value to readers who share more than just an experience giving birth or caring for children. They are entry points into what it means to be human and to find purpose in this world. As much as I found these essays valuable beyond motherhood and as convincing as I found the evidence that mothers are not minor or irrelevant characters, I struggle to see this book being read by anyone who is not, well, a mother. I hope these essays find their way to a larger audience.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC for review.
September 15, 2023
The Book of Mothers felt like participating in a cozy book club! I really loved it and enjoyed each time I picked it up, knowing I was going to be able to explore some honest motherhood! This book was wonderful in providing insight related to mothers in literature. It reminded me of book discussions in college where you were able to explore a character, their motivations, and where society was at that time. I have only read a few of the books mentioned, but was still able to follow along (and create a TBR list!) and enjoy the exploration of Mullins.
My one critique of this book is the politics that comes from later chapters that tackle recent issues. I know this is relevant, but also notice that it can feel heavy handed in exploring one narrative versus all sides. Obviously the "mommy wars" of working versus staying home comes into play, but it also feels a bit judgmental towards women who enjoy staying at home and identifying with motherhood. I know one book cannot go into all the nuances of motherhood, but did feel myself enjoying the last few chapters a bit less because of it. I particularly think of the footnotes related to JK Rowling and not fully exploring some of the recent issues surrounding her comments. I enjoyed when Mullins went into the history of other authors, but felt like Rowling did not get the same (maybe this is my own bias!).
I would highly recommend this book! I haven't seen anything like it before and feel like it has an important place in literature today.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book.
My one critique of this book is the politics that comes from later chapters that tackle recent issues. I know this is relevant, but also notice that it can feel heavy handed in exploring one narrative versus all sides. Obviously the "mommy wars" of working versus staying home comes into play, but it also feels a bit judgmental towards women who enjoy staying at home and identifying with motherhood. I know one book cannot go into all the nuances of motherhood, but did feel myself enjoying the last few chapters a bit less because of it. I particularly think of the footnotes related to JK Rowling and not fully exploring some of the recent issues surrounding her comments. I enjoyed when Mullins went into the history of other authors, but felt like Rowling did not get the same (maybe this is my own bias!).
I would highly recommend this book! I haven't seen anything like it before and feel like it has an important place in literature today.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book.
March 3, 2024
I received an Advanced Copy of this book and am giving a honest review.
I’m utterly disappointed as I wanted so badly to love this book. I’d realistically give this 1.5 ⭐️.
As a mother, a literature teacher, and a lifelong reader, I thought this take on literary themes of motherhood was off-putting, bland, and lacking depth.
The chapters consisted of long summaries of the literary works followed by a final page of the author’s response to a motherhood theme in said text. The book was more of a summary of mothers in literature with small (often shallow) points about motherhood.
One of my biggest complaints is that in the final chapter, the author analyzes Mrs. Weasley, rather than Lily Potter. Lily Potter’s love—her sacrifice—was what made the books possible. Without her death, Harry would never have been possible. Her love is what protected him his entire life. While Mrs. Weasley is a likable and favorite character, an opportunity to discuss self-sacrifice (as it pertains to motherhood) was completely missed.
I’m not sure what else to say about this besides it was not my cup of tea and I just hoped for a deeper and thought-provoking analysis on motherhood in literature.
I’m utterly disappointed as I wanted so badly to love this book. I’d realistically give this 1.5 ⭐️.
As a mother, a literature teacher, and a lifelong reader, I thought this take on literary themes of motherhood was off-putting, bland, and lacking depth.
The chapters consisted of long summaries of the literary works followed by a final page of the author’s response to a motherhood theme in said text. The book was more of a summary of mothers in literature with small (often shallow) points about motherhood.
One of my biggest complaints is that in the final chapter, the author analyzes Mrs. Weasley, rather than Lily Potter. Lily Potter’s love—her sacrifice—was what made the books possible. Without her death, Harry would never have been possible. Her love is what protected him his entire life. While Mrs. Weasley is a likable and favorite character, an opportunity to discuss self-sacrifice (as it pertains to motherhood) was completely missed.
I’m not sure what else to say about this besides it was not my cup of tea and I just hoped for a deeper and thought-provoking analysis on motherhood in literature.
February 11, 2024
Thank you to MacMillan Publishing for providing @riverroadlfl an advance copy of “The Book of Mothers”! Carrie Mullins does a great job analyzing the role of motherhood through fifteen great literature characters over time. She shows how societal values and beliefs changed the way writers portray mothers. For example, Jane Austen wrote about real housewives in “Pride and Prejudice,” while Margaret Atwood wrote about a dystopian society where women had few rights in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” These works show how motherhood has been seen differently throughout history. As someone who enjoys reading classic English literature and is member of many book clubs I think this book will spark interesting conversations when it hits bookstore shelves in May 2024. It’s perfect for new expecting parent, book club members, or as a gift for Mother’s Day because it gives readers a chance to explore the book’s ideas and discuss how motherhood has shaped literature through the centuries.
June 11, 2024
This is the best book I read all year; one that I’ll think about; return to, and share with friends. I’ve read a decent amount of books on motherhood and this one sparked my interest and attention so much. So glad the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn highlighted this book around Mother’s Day and that I picked it up!
November 22, 2023
Mothers are historically the least interesting or involved characters in most works of fiction. Carrie Mullins explores 15 works of classic and contemporary literature to argue that motherhood is complex and an individual experience- far from the one size fits all. I spent my time with this book, researching each book as it is presented as most I have not read. It is dense and packed with content that is too rich to read quickly.
You'll find moms from the following books:
-Pride and Prejudice
-Little Women
-The Great Gatsby
-Beloved
-Heartburn
-The Color Purple
-The Joy Luck Club
-Madame Bovary
-Anne of Green Gables
-To the Lighthouse
-Play It As It Lays
-Mrs. Bridge
-Passing
-The Handmaid's Tale
-Harry Potter
While I think reading all of these books would have aided my comprehension of some of the author's main points, I don't think it necessary to grasp what it means to be a mother in modern day society and how this has and has not changed throughout the years. I highlighted so many sentences in this book, probably more than any before it so I will leave you with one of my favorites:
Write stories about women, about mothers. literature humanizes; it widens our perspective and has an unmatched ability to create empathy for characters unlike ourselves"
This would make a fantastic read for any mother or literary fiction reader and the timing of publication- around Mother's Day- perfect.
You'll find moms from the following books:
-Pride and Prejudice
-Little Women
-The Great Gatsby
-Beloved
-Heartburn
-The Color Purple
-The Joy Luck Club
-Madame Bovary
-Anne of Green Gables
-To the Lighthouse
-Play It As It Lays
-Mrs. Bridge
-Passing
-The Handmaid's Tale
-Harry Potter
While I think reading all of these books would have aided my comprehension of some of the author's main points, I don't think it necessary to grasp what it means to be a mother in modern day society and how this has and has not changed throughout the years. I highlighted so many sentences in this book, probably more than any before it so I will leave you with one of my favorites:
Write stories about women, about mothers. literature humanizes; it widens our perspective and has an unmatched ability to create empathy for characters unlike ourselves"
This would make a fantastic read for any mother or literary fiction reader and the timing of publication- around Mother's Day- perfect.
May 4, 2024
Thank you #partner St. Martin’s Press for my #gifted copy of The Book of Mothers!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐔𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 ����𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
This was such a unique read! I honestly had no clue what to expect when I received this book, but I was so pleasantly surprised. This book was truly written for book lovers and it was refreshing to read! While I have not read all of the books mentioned, it was still fun to read each chapter. I loved how the aim of the book was to spark discussion between classic literature and contemporary issues. I appreciated how the author chose a wide variety of mothers from literature to include in this book. Overall, this was a very interesting read and I would definitely recommend it to any book lover.
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐔𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 ����𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
This was such a unique read! I honestly had no clue what to expect when I received this book, but I was so pleasantly surprised. This book was truly written for book lovers and it was refreshing to read! While I have not read all of the books mentioned, it was still fun to read each chapter. I loved how the aim of the book was to spark discussion between classic literature and contemporary issues. I appreciated how the author chose a wide variety of mothers from literature to include in this book. Overall, this was a very interesting read and I would definitely recommend it to any book lover.
June 9, 2024
This book analyzes expectations and realities of motherhood as they are presented in a variety of literary works. I appreciated the depth of the analyses in terms of historical context and modern application, and while I have not read all the books discussed, I followed the arguments easily. I enjoyed all the pop culture connections as well as reading about Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Bennett, and Marmee.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
August 23, 2023
"The Book of Mothers: How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood" by Carrie Mullins offers a captivating exploration of the portrayal of maternal figures in classic literature and how these depictions have influenced cultural notions of motherhood. Given your preference for formal, detailed, and long-form content creation, this book review provides an opportunity to delve into the complexities of the themes presented within the book.
Carrie Mullins' quest to examine how cultural expectations of motherhood have been shaped by literature aligns with your interest in in-depth analysis. Your formal content creation style can be employed to dissect how the author delves into the idealization of motherhood and the impact it has on women's lives, both historically and in contemporary times.
The author's approach of using literature with memorable maternal figures as a lens for exploring cultural ideals offers a rich landscape for your detailed analysis. Your formal approach can explore how the author moves through classic novels to trace the origins of modern mothering experiences. By dissecting the literary canon, from Pride and Prejudice to The Great Gatsby, and examining the portrayal of mothers in each, you can offer your audience an intricate understanding of the themes discussed.
Mullins' exploration of factors such as politics, economics, feminism, pop culture, and family life in shaping prevailing views of motherhood provides ample material for your analysis. Your formal content creation style can delve into how these factors have contributed to the idealization of motherhood and influenced societal expectations. By offering detailed insights into the intersection of these factors with literature, you can encourage your audience to critically reflect on the sources of these expectations.
Furthermore, the author's examination of literary mothers beyond their domestic roles offers an opportunity to discuss the broader dimensions of maternal figures in literature. Your detailed approach can dissect how these characters reflect the complexities of women's lives, aspirations, and challenges beyond their roles as caregivers. By exploring the multidimensional nature of these characters, you can deepen your audience's understanding of the stories told within classic novels.
The book's aim of sparking conversation between classic literature and contemporary issues resonates with your inclination for addressing relevant topics. Your formal and detailed analysis can bridge the gap between past and present, discussing how the insights from these classic novels can contribute to discussions about modern motherhood, feminism, and societal change.
In conclusion, "The Book of Mothers" provides a comprehensive exploration of cultural notions of motherhood shaped by literature. Through your formal, detailed, and long-form content creation style, you can dissect the themes presented in the book review, offering your audience a thorough understanding of its contents. By analyzing the portrayal of mothers in classic literature, exploring the factors that shape these depictions, and discussing the relevance of these insights in contemporary discussions, you can create content that informs, engages, and encourages your readers to reflect on the evolving nature of motherhood.
Carrie Mullins' quest to examine how cultural expectations of motherhood have been shaped by literature aligns with your interest in in-depth analysis. Your formal content creation style can be employed to dissect how the author delves into the idealization of motherhood and the impact it has on women's lives, both historically and in contemporary times.
The author's approach of using literature with memorable maternal figures as a lens for exploring cultural ideals offers a rich landscape for your detailed analysis. Your formal approach can explore how the author moves through classic novels to trace the origins of modern mothering experiences. By dissecting the literary canon, from Pride and Prejudice to The Great Gatsby, and examining the portrayal of mothers in each, you can offer your audience an intricate understanding of the themes discussed.
Mullins' exploration of factors such as politics, economics, feminism, pop culture, and family life in shaping prevailing views of motherhood provides ample material for your analysis. Your formal content creation style can delve into how these factors have contributed to the idealization of motherhood and influenced societal expectations. By offering detailed insights into the intersection of these factors with literature, you can encourage your audience to critically reflect on the sources of these expectations.
Furthermore, the author's examination of literary mothers beyond their domestic roles offers an opportunity to discuss the broader dimensions of maternal figures in literature. Your detailed approach can dissect how these characters reflect the complexities of women's lives, aspirations, and challenges beyond their roles as caregivers. By exploring the multidimensional nature of these characters, you can deepen your audience's understanding of the stories told within classic novels.
The book's aim of sparking conversation between classic literature and contemporary issues resonates with your inclination for addressing relevant topics. Your formal and detailed analysis can bridge the gap between past and present, discussing how the insights from these classic novels can contribute to discussions about modern motherhood, feminism, and societal change.
In conclusion, "The Book of Mothers" provides a comprehensive exploration of cultural notions of motherhood shaped by literature. Through your formal, detailed, and long-form content creation style, you can dissect the themes presented in the book review, offering your audience a thorough understanding of its contents. By analyzing the portrayal of mothers in classic literature, exploring the factors that shape these depictions, and discussing the relevance of these insights in contemporary discussions, you can create content that informs, engages, and encourages your readers to reflect on the evolving nature of motherhood.
September 14, 2023
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
The Book of Mothers is a POWERHOUSE. This book could not be more timely for our current political climate, and for my own self-discovery as a new mother. I've never read such a meticulous and deep study of literary characters which then connected to modern motherhood struggles. I felt seen and heard and validated over and over.
Mullins asks the hard questions and isn't afraid to dive into the uncomfortable future women are facing today. As an anxiety-prone mother of an infant, this book gave me permission to feel all the feelings about motherhood, society, and the political landscape that targets moms and women in general.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read this book! It is one I will not soon forget.
(Note: I would be gentle with yourself as you read this one, and check your own emotional triggers, as this book covers sexual assault, abortion and abuse, among other tough topics.)
The Book of Mothers is a POWERHOUSE. This book could not be more timely for our current political climate, and for my own self-discovery as a new mother. I've never read such a meticulous and deep study of literary characters which then connected to modern motherhood struggles. I felt seen and heard and validated over and over.
Mullins asks the hard questions and isn't afraid to dive into the uncomfortable future women are facing today. As an anxiety-prone mother of an infant, this book gave me permission to feel all the feelings about motherhood, society, and the political landscape that targets moms and women in general.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read this book! It is one I will not soon forget.
(Note: I would be gentle with yourself as you read this one, and check your own emotional triggers, as this book covers sexual assault, abortion and abuse, among other tough topics.)
April 21, 2024
Really insightful and marking piece. These are some of my favorite passages :
- If women haven't voiced their own experience, what, then, is authentic womanhood? How do we know it? What is ours, what is man-made? (p.91)
- None of the control but all the responsibility. This is the irony underlying a woman's experience. (p.136)
- It is easier to keep women home when they are pushed to identify as mothers rather than individuals (p. 153)
- Literature humanizes; it widens our perspective and has an unmatched ability to create empathy for characters unlike ourselves. (p.219)
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'analyse et les points qui sont ressortis de ce livre. La société a encore beaucoup de progrès à faire, mais esperons que les oeuvres littéraires des prochaines années seront capable de mieux représenter la diversité et les multiples possibilitées de ce qu'est le rôle de mère et de femme.
- If women haven't voiced their own experience, what, then, is authentic womanhood? How do we know it? What is ours, what is man-made? (p.91)
- None of the control but all the responsibility. This is the irony underlying a woman's experience. (p.136)
- It is easier to keep women home when they are pushed to identify as mothers rather than individuals (p. 153)
- Literature humanizes; it widens our perspective and has an unmatched ability to create empathy for characters unlike ourselves. (p.219)
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'analyse et les points qui sont ressortis de ce livre. La société a encore beaucoup de progrès à faire, mais esperons que les oeuvres littéraires des prochaines années seront capable de mieux représenter la diversité et les multiples possibilitées de ce qu'est le rôle de mère et de femme.
April 25, 2024
I loved reading this book. It's like sitting down with a very well-read friend with a shared passion for women's lives and hearing her dig in deep into a variety of books. The choices range from the very familiar ("Little Women") to a few I haven't yet read (but will be checking out). It's completely unpretentious and contains personal detail without ever once feeling like it's just about the author's singular experience. She consciously explores other forms of motherhood other than her own.
Note: when I finished the book, I wasn't wild about the subtitle, as I feel like it doesn't fairly represent the content of the book. This was less a book about how to reinvent motherhood than an exploration of how different stories about mothers can illuminate aspects of modern motherhood.
Note: when I finished the book, I wasn't wild about the subtitle, as I feel like it doesn't fairly represent the content of the book. This was less a book about how to reinvent motherhood than an exploration of how different stories about mothers can illuminate aspects of modern motherhood.
September 10, 2023
This book is, no question, an academic book in the sense that it's a careful examination of mothers in literature. That said, it feels more like a coffee chat with an absurdly smart friend. It's not dry, and author is through without dragging chapters out longer than they need to be. Many include a brief synopsis of the book in question before delving into the topic which is helpful if the reader has not read the book in question or it has been a long time. A thoroughly engaging, thought provoking read.
April 26, 2024
A fascinating exploration of the impact of literature on our views about motherhood. This book was very accessible and relatable. I especially enjoyed how Mullins shared examples from her own life. Very well done.
November 28, 2023
"The Book of Mothers" by Carrie Mullins is a poignant exploration of the complex relationships that shape our lives. Mullins skillfully weaves together the narratives of three generations of women, offering a powerful and intimate portrait of motherhood. The novel is a delicate dance between heartbreak and resilience, as each character confronts the challenges and joys that come with being a mother.
Mullins's prose is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of the characters' experiences with a raw and honest beauty. The interplay of past and present adds depth to the storytelling, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that resonates with readers. The author's keen insight into the intricacies of maternal bonds elevates the novel beyond a simple family saga, making it a compelling exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.
"The Book of Mothers" is a testament to Mullins's storytelling prowess, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the complexities inherent in the relationships that shape us. This novel is a heartfelt and resonant tribute to the strength of women and the enduring legacy of motherhood.
Mullins's prose is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of the characters' experiences with a raw and honest beauty. The interplay of past and present adds depth to the storytelling, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that resonates with readers. The author's keen insight into the intricacies of maternal bonds elevates the novel beyond a simple family saga, making it a compelling exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.
"The Book of Mothers" is a testament to Mullins's storytelling prowess, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the complexities inherent in the relationships that shape us. This novel is a heartfelt and resonant tribute to the strength of women and the enduring legacy of motherhood.
October 11, 2023
Carrie Mullins' "The Book of Mothers" is a touching and beautifully written exploration of the myriad facets of motherhood. I enjoyed the deep emotional resonance and keen insights into the complex relationships that define our lives. The narrative is poignant and heartwarming, but it doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects of motherhood. Mullins bravely explores the sacrifices and doubts that come with raising children, portraying motherhood in all its raw and unfiltered beauty.
"The Book of Mothers" is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. It's a celebration of the women who have shaped us, and the stories are a reminder that motherhood is a journey filled with moments of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Carrie Mullins' book is a tribute to mothers everywhere, and it's a deeply moving and thoughtful read for anyone who has ever had a mother, is a mother, or aspires to be one.
"The Book of Mothers" is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. It's a celebration of the women who have shaped us, and the stories are a reminder that motherhood is a journey filled with moments of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Carrie Mullins' book is a tribute to mothers everywhere, and it's a deeply moving and thoughtful read for anyone who has ever had a mother, is a mother, or aspires to be one.
November 28, 2023
I'm pregnant with my first child so this is a timely read for me! I thought it was a really interesting concept, and appreciated the diversity of literature sampled for this book. I wasn't sure the personal anecdotes always worked, but they mostly did, and I enjoyed this book. I think it'd be great for a book club discussion or to share with friends, I'll probably buy it when it comes out so I can spend more time with it.
April 22, 2024
This was a thoroughly enjoyable collection of essays, which made me want to go back to the books it discusses and reread them with a new lens. Thank you for the galley!
June 28, 2024
I loved this book- fascinating analysis.
May 25, 2024
Rating: 3.5 stars
This was definitely an interesting read. This went and looked at different types of literature and how it has and can shape how motherhood is viewed. As a mother, I could relate to a lot of what was talked about in the book. However, as someone who isn't all that familiar with a lot of the books, movies, and TV shows talked about in the book, I didn't really connect with the book in that way. I do think that the story has an interesting concept and I did enjoy reading this book even though it's not in my typical genre. I did like how the author left things a little open ended towards the end of every chapter to give me pause and allow me to really think about what was said. Since this was a nonfiction read of this variety, I did read this slowly, trying to only read one to two chapters at a time. I would definitely recommend this to mothers who love classic literature.
This was definitely an interesting read. This went and looked at different types of literature and how it has and can shape how motherhood is viewed. As a mother, I could relate to a lot of what was talked about in the book. However, as someone who isn't all that familiar with a lot of the books, movies, and TV shows talked about in the book, I didn't really connect with the book in that way. I do think that the story has an interesting concept and I did enjoy reading this book even though it's not in my typical genre. I did like how the author left things a little open ended towards the end of every chapter to give me pause and allow me to really think about what was said. Since this was a nonfiction read of this variety, I did read this slowly, trying to only read one to two chapters at a time. I would definitely recommend this to mothers who love classic literature.
June 23, 2024
|| THE BOOK OF MOTHERS : How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood ||
#gifted @stmartinspress
•
"As hard as it is to say that all mothers should fit one mold of the maternal, it feels equally hard to deny that nurturing, self-sacrifice and sympathy are part of the reality of raising children. But how do we draw the line between what's voluntary and what's imposed? Do I want to sacrifice for my kids, or do I feel I have to? And I naturally sweet towards them, or forcing myself to be? What if that's always changing? Trying to remove certain imposed expectations from motherhood often feels like trying to remove the tiny bones from the flesh of a fish--- it's hard to discard what we don't need without cutting out too much of ourselves in the process."
•
"Is Marmee only happy because Alcott was bowing to cultural expectations of motherhood? It wouldn't be surprising, given that she viewed motherhood as a barrier to women's creative work, herself professed "salvation" '.
✍🏻
When I first heard of this book I was very intrigued! Mullins explores memorable maternal figures in fifteen classic novels from Pride and Prejudice to The Joy Luck Club, and how culture ideas of motherhood have been shaped by literature. I loved deep diving so many of my favorite bookish mothers! Marmee from Little Women is one of the most famous but I loved many of the others Mullins included. Its an interesting mix, with Mullins weaving in autobiographical elements of her own and the authors of the books as well. For readers who love books about books and books on motherhood this was wonderful! In terms of it being reinventive of modern motherhood I'm not sure it hit the mark for me. But it was a very engaging read and I did fly through it!
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
#gifted @stmartinspress
•
"As hard as it is to say that all mothers should fit one mold of the maternal, it feels equally hard to deny that nurturing, self-sacrifice and sympathy are part of the reality of raising children. But how do we draw the line between what's voluntary and what's imposed? Do I want to sacrifice for my kids, or do I feel I have to? And I naturally sweet towards them, or forcing myself to be? What if that's always changing? Trying to remove certain imposed expectations from motherhood often feels like trying to remove the tiny bones from the flesh of a fish--- it's hard to discard what we don't need without cutting out too much of ourselves in the process."
•
"Is Marmee only happy because Alcott was bowing to cultural expectations of motherhood? It wouldn't be surprising, given that she viewed motherhood as a barrier to women's creative work, herself professed "salvation" '.
✍🏻
When I first heard of this book I was very intrigued! Mullins explores memorable maternal figures in fifteen classic novels from Pride and Prejudice to The Joy Luck Club, and how culture ideas of motherhood have been shaped by literature. I loved deep diving so many of my favorite bookish mothers! Marmee from Little Women is one of the most famous but I loved many of the others Mullins included. Its an interesting mix, with Mullins weaving in autobiographical elements of her own and the authors of the books as well. For readers who love books about books and books on motherhood this was wonderful! In terms of it being reinventive of modern motherhood I'm not sure it hit the mark for me. But it was a very engaging read and I did fly through it!
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
April 25, 2024
Mullins definitely went some places I wasn’t expecting. I found her comparing Mrs. Bennett to a Real Housewife very apt. Using Mrs. Weasley as an ode to harried moms was an excellent choice.
Mullins does a good job representing intersectional stories about motherhood and how it differs from our stories about white mothers. A couple of essays didn’t delve quite as deep but most were interesting and insightful. For all the history across these works, they all were tied in to struggles modern moms deal with.
It’s also very accessible. If you didn’t spend your undergrad dabbling in comparative literature, this will still make perfect sense to you. An excellent gift idea for bookish moms for Mother’s Day.
Mullins does a good job representing intersectional stories about motherhood and how it differs from our stories about white mothers. A couple of essays didn’t delve quite as deep but most were interesting and insightful. For all the history across these works, they all were tied in to struggles modern moms deal with.
It’s also very accessible. If you didn’t spend your undergrad dabbling in comparative literature, this will still make perfect sense to you. An excellent gift idea for bookish moms for Mother’s Day.
September 9, 2023
The many different and varying looks at motherhood grabbed my attention, but I was a bit lost on what I went into the book expecting, and what I left with after reading. I don't feel my time was wasted at all by reading this, and I did enjoy it! I enjoyed reading about the different mothers in literature, since I had a base knowledge of a lot of the ones that were written about. All in all, I enjoyed the book!
February 25, 2024
This book examines representations of motherhood in novels ranging from Pride and Prejudice all the way to Harry Potter. I really enjoyed this throughout but thought the discussion of the more recent works felt relatable to modern motherhood. It didn’t just focus on mothers but also on womanhood in general and that fact caused some digressions. Overall, I found this informative and entertaining. Received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
April 30, 2024
I was SOOOO excited when I received this ARC from NetGalley.
And I did love the concept and books she chose to use.
But.... heavy on summary of the books and only shallow on the actual analysis.
It was a fair attempt, so I think I might give the author another chance.
Chapters on Ephron's "Heartburn" and Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" were best.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
And I did love the concept and books she chose to use.
But.... heavy on summary of the books and only shallow on the actual analysis.
It was a fair attempt, so I think I might give the author another chance.
Chapters on Ephron's "Heartburn" and Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" were best.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2023
This book was an interesting look at motherhood and how it is portrayed throughout history in books. I really enjoyed the nods to many of my favorite books and mothers in those books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Carrie Mullins for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Carrie Mullins for the ARC!
March 8, 2024
The good: the author CITES HER SOURCES. I mean, notes and bibliography. She also has an exceptionally clear eye in sizing up the significance of actions in literature, that is, what's going on and what it means, why the author told us. And she calls out both Nixon and Reagan for screwing parents and children over even when there was bipartisan support for child development funding.
The not-so-good: If you haven't read the books in question (or at least seen the movies), I'm not sure the arguments will resonate as much. I hadn't read Mrs. Bridge or Harry Potter (yes, not all Millennials read HP) and those chapters fell flat for me. And frankly, I just didn't enjoy all of the author's asides about her own children, although I understand the meaningfulness of her being able to make them.
Also, we get a pretty full description of the The Millstone by Margaret Drabble in the introduction, and then again in chapter 13. I realize the latter was probably written some time before the former, but an editor (such as myself) would have caught that.
The bad: the defense of Kristen Roupenian's "Cat Person" story is flat out wrong: "Roupenian was eventually forced to admit that she’d taken some details from her own life to use in the story, putting her in league with most fiction writers, including Tolstoy, Proust, and Dickens." But Roupenian didn't take details from her own life, she took the story of ANOTHER WOMAN'S life--her ex-boyfriend's previous girlfriend, naming the locations of the woman's school, work, and dates with the man in question so that everyone who knew them recognized it was them. Read Alexis Nowicki's Slate article to see how blindsided and humiliated they were. And the sensitive, depressed ex-boyfriend of both women died "suddenly" after the story went viral. So Roupenian is not a victim in the tale--she's apparently the villain. Just like JK Rowling, by the way--why are we having academic discussion of her work when there are plenty of other authors who aren't being rage monsters on Twitter?
Anyway. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The not-so-good: If you haven't read the books in question (or at least seen the movies), I'm not sure the arguments will resonate as much. I hadn't read Mrs. Bridge or Harry Potter (yes, not all Millennials read HP) and those chapters fell flat for me. And frankly, I just didn't enjoy all of the author's asides about her own children, although I understand the meaningfulness of her being able to make them.
Also, we get a pretty full description of the The Millstone by Margaret Drabble in the introduction, and then again in chapter 13. I realize the latter was probably written some time before the former, but an editor (such as myself) would have caught that.
The bad: the defense of Kristen Roupenian's "Cat Person" story is flat out wrong: "Roupenian was eventually forced to admit that she’d taken some details from her own life to use in the story, putting her in league with most fiction writers, including Tolstoy, Proust, and Dickens." But Roupenian didn't take details from her own life, she took the story of ANOTHER WOMAN'S life--her ex-boyfriend's previous girlfriend, naming the locations of the woman's school, work, and dates with the man in question so that everyone who knew them recognized it was them. Read Alexis Nowicki's Slate article to see how blindsided and humiliated they were. And the sensitive, depressed ex-boyfriend of both women died "suddenly" after the story went viral. So Roupenian is not a victim in the tale--she's apparently the villain. Just like JK Rowling, by the way--why are we having academic discussion of her work when there are plenty of other authors who aren't being rage monsters on Twitter?
Anyway. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 3, 2024
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺-𝘢𝘵-𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭."
What makes a good mother?
Mrs. Bennet, Marmee March, Daisy Buchannan, Offred, Mrs. Ramsay, Sethe—Who were these literary mothers, beyond their domestic responsibilities and familial demands? And what lessons do they have for us today―if we choose to listen?
This was a provoking, enraging, and engaging read. In The Book of Mothers, Carrie Mullins explores some of the literary mamas that have helped to shape society's views on motherhood. The author addresses essential issues that women and mothers go through, and creates a dialogue around social and political issues mothers face in today's society.
As a mother, I found this an interesting read, and now I really want to start a 𝕃𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕣𝕪 𝕄𝕒𝕞𝕒'𝕤 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖! If you would be interested in a motherhood-themed reading challenge or joining my 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥, drop a 💞 in the comments!
𝙏𝙊𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙎: 🇪🇽🇵🇪🇨🇹🇦🇹🇮🇴🇳🇸, 🇮🇳🇬🇷🇦🇮🇳🇪🇩 🇧🇪🇱🇮🇪🇫🇸, 🇷🇪🇻🇪🇷🇹 🇹🇴 🇹🇭🇪 🇮🇩🇪🇦🇱 🇴🇫 🇹🇭🇪 🇳🇺🇨🇱🇪🇦🇷 🇫🇦🇲🇮🇱🇾, 🇸🇦🇭🇲 🇦🇷🇪 🇺🇳🇵🇦🇮🇩 🇱🇦🇧🇴🇷🇪🇷🇸, 🇷🇪🇸🇵🇴🇳🇸🇮🇧🇮🇱🇮🇹🇮🇪🇸, 🇴🇧🇯🇪🇨🇹🇮🇫🇮🇨🇦🇹🇮🇴🇳, 🇨🇴🇳🇹🇷🇴🇱, 🇼🇴🇷🇰-🇲🇴🇹🇭🇪🇷🇭🇴🇴🇩 🇹🇷🇦🇩🇪-🇴🇫🇫, 🇦🇳🇽🇮🇪🇹🇾 🇦🇳🇩 🇫🇪🇦🇷, 🇦🇬🇪🇳🇨🇾, 🇦🇳🇬🇪🇷, 🇨🇴🇳🇸🇺🇲🇪🇷🇮🇸🇲
𝙏𝘼𝙂𝙎: 🇳🇴🇳-🇫🇮🇨🇹🇮🇴🇳 | 🇵🇦🇷🇪🇳🇹🇮🇳🇬 | 🇲🇴🇹🇭🇪🇷🇭🇴🇴🇩 | 🇫🇪🇲🇮🇳🇮🇸🇲 | 🇧🇴🇴🇰🇸 🇦🇧🇴🇺🇹 🇧🇴🇴🇰🇸
What makes a good mother?
Mrs. Bennet, Marmee March, Daisy Buchannan, Offred, Mrs. Ramsay, Sethe—Who were these literary mothers, beyond their domestic responsibilities and familial demands? And what lessons do they have for us today―if we choose to listen?
This was a provoking, enraging, and engaging read. In The Book of Mothers, Carrie Mullins explores some of the literary mamas that have helped to shape society's views on motherhood. The author addresses essential issues that women and mothers go through, and creates a dialogue around social and political issues mothers face in today's society.
As a mother, I found this an interesting read, and now I really want to start a 𝕃𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕣𝕪 𝕄𝕒𝕞𝕒'𝕤 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖! If you would be interested in a motherhood-themed reading challenge or joining my 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥, drop a 💞 in the comments!
𝙏𝙊𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙎: 🇪🇽🇵🇪🇨🇹🇦🇹🇮🇴🇳🇸, 🇮🇳🇬🇷🇦🇮🇳🇪🇩 🇧🇪🇱🇮🇪🇫🇸, 🇷🇪🇻🇪🇷🇹 🇹🇴 🇹🇭🇪 🇮🇩🇪🇦🇱 🇴🇫 🇹🇭🇪 🇳🇺🇨🇱🇪🇦🇷 🇫🇦🇲🇮🇱🇾, 🇸🇦🇭🇲 🇦🇷🇪 🇺🇳🇵🇦🇮🇩 🇱🇦🇧🇴🇷🇪🇷🇸, 🇷🇪🇸🇵🇴🇳🇸🇮🇧🇮🇱🇮🇹🇮🇪🇸, 🇴🇧🇯🇪🇨🇹🇮🇫🇮🇨🇦🇹🇮🇴🇳, 🇨🇴🇳🇹🇷🇴🇱, 🇼🇴🇷🇰-🇲🇴🇹🇭🇪🇷🇭🇴🇴🇩 🇹🇷🇦🇩🇪-🇴🇫🇫, 🇦🇳🇽🇮🇪🇹🇾 🇦🇳🇩 🇫🇪🇦🇷, 🇦🇬🇪🇳🇨🇾, 🇦🇳🇬🇪🇷, 🇨🇴🇳🇸🇺🇲🇪🇷🇮🇸🇲
𝙏𝘼𝙂𝙎: 🇳🇴🇳-🇫🇮🇨🇹🇮🇴🇳 | 🇵🇦🇷🇪🇳🇹🇮🇳🇬 | 🇲🇴🇹🇭🇪🇷🇭🇴🇴🇩 | 🇫🇪🇲🇮🇳🇮🇸🇲 | 🇧🇴🇴🇰🇸 🇦🇧🇴🇺🇹 🇧🇴🇴🇰🇸
January 30, 2025
Despite having not read quite a few of these books, Mullins' commentary and insights into our social portrayal and thoughts on motherhood were so thought-provoking and relevant.
It's no secret that women are undergoing a time of drastic social change. How this will dictate our future as a society is still a mystery but looking at literature in the frame of historical and cultural impacts on perceptions of women and motherhood feels very powerful and meaningful in today's world.
Mullins requires us to look at women and motherhood as separate, but intertwined ideas. Women in literature and culture post-children are reduced to their children or who they are as mothers. They often lose their identity, and if they hold onto it, it's because their shirking their duties as mothers. Mullins makes us ask what it looks like to look at these women as individual human beings.
Definitely a good add-on to any readthrough of any of these books, but also a good standalone with some great suggestions for your TBR list!
It's no secret that women are undergoing a time of drastic social change. How this will dictate our future as a society is still a mystery but looking at literature in the frame of historical and cultural impacts on perceptions of women and motherhood feels very powerful and meaningful in today's world.
Mullins requires us to look at women and motherhood as separate, but intertwined ideas. Women in literature and culture post-children are reduced to their children or who they are as mothers. They often lose their identity, and if they hold onto it, it's because their shirking their duties as mothers. Mullins makes us ask what it looks like to look at these women as individual human beings.
Definitely a good add-on to any readthrough of any of these books, but also a good standalone with some great suggestions for your TBR list!
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